Vehicle-spring gear.



A. B. HISTAND. VEHICLE SPRING GEAR.

(Application filed Apr. 4, 1901.) (No Model.) 2- Sheets-Sheet I.

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A. B. HISTAND.

VEHICLBSPRING GEAR I (Application filed Apr. 4, 1901.) (No Model.) 2 sheets shet 2..

UNTTTD -STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT BFHISTAND, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

VEHICLE-SPRING GEAR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 690,149, dated December 31, 1901.

Application filed April 4, 1901. Serial No. 64,332. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALBERT B. HIS'LAND, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Vehicle-S prin g Gear, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in vehicle-spring gear; and it consists in a certain peculiar construction, which is advantageous in that it is at once light, strong, inexpensive, and neat and is calulatcd to efficiently cushion a vehicle-body.

The invention will be fully understood from the following description and claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan view illustrating my improved gear as connected to the frame of a vehicle-body. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the improved gear as applied to the front axle of the vehicle. Fig. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal central section taken in the plane indicated by the broken line at 4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a detail section taken in a plane be low the head of the rear bolt shown in Fig. 4.

' Fig. 6 is a section'taken in the plane indicated by the broken line 6 6 of Fig. 1 and illustrating, by dotted lines, a modification hereinafter referred to. Fig. 7 comprises disconnected broken perspective views illustrative of the preferred manner in which the members of the main springs are connected to the axles. Fig. 8 comprises similar views illustrative of a modified way of connecting the members of the main springs to the axles. Fig. 9 is a broken perspective view illustrating modified means forconnecting the forward main spring to a vehicle-bod y so as to hold the body to the spring and yet permit the spring to turn with the front axle. Figs. 10, 11, and 12 are detail sectional views illustrating a modified construction which is employed when my improvements are embodied in a heavy-vehicle, Fig. 12 being taken in the plane indicated by the broken line 12 12 extending through Figs. 10 and 11. Figs. 13 and 14: are views of other modifications.

Referring by letter to the said drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 to 6 thereof, A is a frame which constitutes a part of and is designed to represent a vehicle-body and which will therefore be hereinafter referred to as such.

B C are front and rear axles, and D E are the front and rear main springs of my improve ments. The axles B (l have their into"- mediate portions a slightly depressed in the ordinary man nerand also have spindles b and depending apertured lugs 0 adjacent to the latter, as illustrated. The main springs D E are similar in construction, and therefore a detail description of the spring D will suffice to impart an understanding of both. Said spring D comprises two members d, which are disposed in front and rear of their complementary axle B and parallel thereto and are curved upwardly in the direction of their length, as illustrated. These members 61 may consist, respectively, of one piece of suitable material or may be provided with superposed leaves e, as desired, and they are provided at their ends with inwardly-directed arms f, which terminate in apertured ears 9, designed to be connected by bolts h to the axle, as shown. The apertures c in the lugs c of the axle are elongated and are occupied by rub ber cushions c containing metallic boxes 0 to receive the bolts it, this to allow movement of the bolts and preclude rattling. In lieu of connecting the spring members to the axle in the manner just described spring members (1, such as shown in Fig. 8, may be connected to an ordinary axle B through the medium ofhangcr-clips O. one'of which is shown in Fig. 8, are designed to straddle the axle B at points adjacent to the spindles thereof and are provided with lower horizontallydisposed apertured portions 2 designed to be connected to the apertured members (Z of the main spring through the medium of bolts. (Not illustrated.)

Arranged on and connected to the rear member of the front main spring D and also connected to the under side of the body A is an auxiliary spring G, and similarly arranged on and connected to the forward member of the rear main spring E and also connected to the body is an auxiliary spring II, wherebyit will be observed that the body is yieldingly connected to the main springs, and consequently will be efficiently cushioned thereby. Disposed below the forward portion of the The hanger-clips,

body A is a guideway I, which in the preferred embodiment of the invention is formed of metallic platesj, held apart by interposed blocks 70 at their ends and connected to the body by bolts Z. The said guideway is designed to receive and permit of play of the rearwardly-disposed end m of a tie-bar J, which is connected bya bolt n to the forward member of the main spring D, and is also pivotally connected to the forward auxiliary spring G, and is consequentlyadaptedto swing with the main spring and the axle on the said auxiliary spring. In effecting the pivotal connection of the bar J to the auxiliary spring G, I prefer to employ the pivot-bolt K, which, as best shown in Figs. 4 and 5, has a square portionp, arranged in a similar aperture in a circular wear-washer q, arranged in bar J and extends through the auxiliary spring G and the rear member of the'main spring D and also through the forwardly-disposed rear end 1" of the bar .I. By virtue of the provision of the bar J it will be observed that the forward and rear members of the main spring D are connected so as to hold them against individual lateral play, that the forward member of said main spring is connected to the bodyA, so as to prevent the body from jumping away from the same, and that the main spring and the axle are free to turn with respect. to the auxiliary spring G and the body A; also, that the connection between the body and the main sprint, is strong and durable, notwithstanding the fact that it is light in weight and neat in appearance.

The rearwardly-disposed forward end por tion m of the bar J terminates in a depending branch 8, disposed in rear of the guide: way I, this to effectually prevent the body being disconnected from the spring D in the event of the bolt K being broken or displaced.

In lieu of the guideway I a curvilinear guideway I, such as shown in Fig. 9, maybe employed, in which case the rearwardly-disposed forward end portion of the tie-bar will be provided with a T-head m, designed to rest and move in said curvilinear guideway. J is a tie-bar which bridges the space between the members d of the rear main spring E and is connected to the same by bolts or other suitable means. The rear end of this tie-bar J is bent upwardly and forwardly, as best shown in Fig. 6, and is connected by a bolt or other means to the rear portion of the body A, this to connect the body to the rear member of spring E and prevent said body from jumping away from the same. When the body A overhangs or extends a considerable distance rearwardly beyond the spring E, an additionalauxiliary spring H may be interposed between and connected to the rear spring member 01 and body A, and the bar J may be extended beyond the rear memberot' the spring and connected to the body after the manner illustrated by broken or dotted lines in Fig. 6.

It will be observed from the foregoing that both of the members of the rear main spring E are connected to the body A, one by a yielding connection and the other bya connection which may be either yielding or not, as desired, with the result that the rear portion of the body is efficiently cushioned by and connected in a secure and strong manner to the rear main spring.

The construction shown in Figs. 10 to 12 comprises a fifth-wheel and is designed for use in heavy vehicles. Such construction comprises a main spring D, a fifth-wheel member 75, connected to and arranged on the said spring and having a tongue or pole u or couplings o for the connection of thills, a fifth- Wheel member w, adapted to be connected to a vehicle-body and superposed on the member 25, and a king-bolt 00, extending through and connecting the fifth-wheel members and the tongue or pole u, as shown.

In Fig. 13 one of the leaves of the springD is curled into an eye a to receive a bolt a, by which a thill-coupling a is connected to the spring. The said coupling is peculiar in that it has ears a to receive the thill-bolt and ears a designed to straddle the spring and receive the bolt a.

In Fig. 14 the rearwardly-disposed forward end portion of the tie-bar J is shown as provided with an antifriction-rollerf, movable in the guideway I, which roller is held on the end portion of the bar by a nut .9, adapted to serve the same function as the branch 3 shown in Fig. 4:.

ICO

The bars JJ may obviously be arched or curved downwardly between the spring members according to the kind of axle employed without departing from my invention. Also when desired wood bars may be used on the springs in lieu of the auxiliary springs.

I have entered into a detail description of the construction and relative arrangement of parts embraced in the preferred embodiment of my invention in order to impart a full, clear, and exact understanding of the same. I do not desire, however, to be understood as confining myself to such specific construction and arrangement of parts, as such changes or modifications may be made in practice as fairly fall within the scope of my claims. For instance, the axles may be straight throughout their length in lieu of having depressed intermediate portions, and the main springs may be constructed and connected to the axles in any manner comprehended by the scope of my claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

1. In a vehicle-spring gear, the combination of an axle, a body, a main spring connected to the axle and having portions arranged in front and rear thereof, a tie-bar connecting the portions of the spring together at an intermediate point in the length thereof, and also connecting one of said spring portions to the body, and an independent connection between the other spring portion and the body.

2. In avehicle-spring gear, the combination of an axle, a body, a main spring connected to the axle and having portions arranged in front and rear thereof, a connection between one of said portions of the main spring and the body, and an auxiliary spring interposed between and connected to the other portion of the main spring and the body.

3. In a vehicle-spring gear, the combination of an axle, a body, a main spring connected to the axle and having portions arranged in front and rear thereof, means connecting said portions of the spring together at an intermediate point of the length thereof, and connecting one of'said portions to the body, and an auxiliary spring interposed between and connected to the other portion of the main spring and the body.

4. In a vehicle-spring gear, the combination of an axle, a body, a main spring connected to the axle and having portions arranged in front and rear thereof, a connection between the portions of the main spring at an intermediate point of the length thereof whereby said portions are held against individual lateral movement, a connection between one of said portions of the main spring and the body, and an auxiliary spring interposed between and connected to the other portion of the main spring and the body.

5. In a vehicle-spring gear, the combination of an axle, a body, having a guideway, a main spring connected to the axle and having portions arranged in front and rear thereof, a pivotal connection between one of the spring portions and the body,and.atie-barconnecting the portions of the spring together at an intermediate point in the length thereof, and having a portion arranged and adapted to move in the guideway of the body.

6. In avehicle-spring gear, the combination of an axle, a body, a main spring connected to the axle and having portions arranged in front and rear thereof, and an auxiliary spring interposed between and connected to one of said portions of the main spring and the body.

7. In avehicle-spring gear, the combination of an axle, a body, a main spring connected to the axle and having portions arranged in front and rear thereof, a tie-bar connecting said portions of the spring together at an intermediate point of the length thereof, and connecting one of said portions and the body, and an auxiliary spring interposed between and connected to the other portion of the main spring and the body.

8. In avehicle-spring gear, the combination of an axle, a body, a main spring disposed on the axle and having members pivotally connected at their ends thereto and arranged in front and rear thereof, means connecting said members of the spring together at an intermediate point of the length thereof, means connecting one of said members and the body,

and an auxiliary spring interposed between and connected to the other member and the body.

9. In avehicle-spring gear, the combination of an axle, a body, a main spring arranged on the axle and having members pivotally connected at their ends thereto and disposed in front and rear thereof, a tie-bar connecting said members of the spring together at an intermediate point of the length thereof and terminating in a portion connected to the body, and an auxiliary spring interposed between and connected to one of the members of the main spring and the body.

10. In a vehicle-spring gear, the combination of an axle, a body provided with a horizontally-disposed guide, a main spring connected to the axle and having portions disposed in front and rear thereof, an auxiliary spring connected to the body and pivotally connected to the rear portion of the main spring, and a bar connected to the main spring and having a portion arranged and adapted to move in the guide of the body.

11. In a vehicle-spring gear, the combination of an axle, a body provided with a horizontally-disposed guide, a main spring connected to the axle and having portions disposed in front and rear thereof, an auxiliary spring connected to the body and pivotally connected to the rear portion of the main spring, and a tie-bar connected to the auxiliary spring and the rear and forward portions of the main spring, and having the upwardly and rearwardly disposed forward portion arranged and adapted to move in the guide of the body.

12. In a vehicle-spring gear, the combination of an axle, a body provided with a horizontally-disposed guide, a main spring connected to the axle and having portions disposed in front and rear thereof, an auxiliary spring connected to the body and pivotally connected to the rear portion of the main spring, and a tie-bar connected to the auxiliary spring and the rear and forward portion of the main spring, and having the upwardly and rearwardly disposed forward portion arranged and movable in the guide of the body, and provided in rear of said guide with a stop.

13. In a vehicle-spring gear, the combination of an axle, a body having a bar or plate disposed below its under side, a spring arranged on and connected to the axle and pivotally connected with the body, and a slide connected to the spring and having a portion movable on the bar or plate of the body, and provided in rear of said bar or plate with a stop.

14. In a vehicle-spring'gear, the combination of an axle having apertures, cushions arranged in said apertures, metallic boxes arranged in said cushions, a spring comprising members disposed in front and rear of the axle, and bolts connecting the springs and axle and extending through the metallic boxes.

IOU

15. In a vehicle-spring gear, the eombina-- my hand in presence of two subscribing Wittion of a spring provided with an eye, a clip nesses. having ears for the connection of a thill and other ears adapted to straddle the spring, and ALBERT HISTAND 5 a bolt extending through the latter ears and Witnesses:

the eye of the spring. I GEORGE ANDERMAN,

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set JOHN S. HERRQN, 

